Shake a Leg Bone

These salt and pepper shakers are sure to tickle your funny bone. They're crafted by designer Chris Stiles from unglazed porcelain, which gives them a "dry bones" feel. They'll be a bona fide hit with doctors, dinosaur lovers, and anyone with a quirky sense of humor. Handmade in California.

details

Handmade

Community Voted

Item ID

21313

Made from

cork,
porcelaneous stoneware

Measurements

5" L x 1" W

Notes

Hand wash

the maker

Christopher Stiles

While studying abroad in England in his youth, Christopher Stiles noticed an art gallery selling hand-blown glass in the window. The experience compelled him to seek new ways to express his ideas through hand-formed objects.

Upon returning to the U.S., Stiles earned a Bachelor's degree in fine art,
with a focus in ceramics from California State University, Long Beach.
After graduation, he apprenticed with a master mold maker to further hone
his skills.

Stiles' attention to detail begins with the design. When he reflects upon something he's seen, he unravels the concept to its core, then turns it on its head. His goal is to examine those forms we take for granted and reduce them to their most rudimentary aspects. Stiles finishes each piece asking more questions than revealing answers - it's simply the nature of his work.

Stiles ponders the little things with big questions, mulling over thoughts like, "What does it mean to be a salt and pepper shaker - to simply season food?" His very real questions produce extraordinarily unique pieces that offer both form and function.

Stiles highlights the simplicities he sees in everyday objects to produce organic sculptures. Ultimately, his work connects us not just to an image or an object, but to one another through the things we touch, share and integrate into our lives.

Q and A

When our community voted on this product, some also shared comments - read them below:

431votes, 55 comments

Cassie, UncommonGoods Community Moderator

No bones about it, these ceramic shakers are clever and cute. Would you add a little flavor to your table with Chris Stiles' handmade design?

JolayneVote: Thumbs down!

I'd see having the corks be a big problem when kids come by

ChristineVote: Thumbs down!

Appreciate it's place of origin, but just not my style.

rosalie

great gift for chiropractors too!

Susan Vote: Thumbs up!

These are the best salt and pepper shakers ever. Fun and functional they make a statement on your table. Great conversation pieces. I love them..

Peter

We have a pair of these -- the photo doesn't do justice to Chris Stiles' work. The finish is reminiscent of real bones that have bleached in the sun, and the form is lovely and just the right size. The corks are not normally visible; they sit comfortably even on the most elegant of dining tables. Highly recommended!

Joanna Q.Vote: Thumbs up!

These are awesome! I'd like to put them in front of a glittery skull for Halloween. I think kids over about 5 know now to uncork the salt and pepper -- at least not to eat the cork. Love 'em.

MeganVote: Thumbs down!

Just weird.

Karen Vote: Thumbs down!

Eww... why would I want bleached out bones on my dining table, fake or otherwise??

TerriVote: Thumbs up!

VOTE: TWO THUMBS UP!
I have a pair of these and have given many to people as gifts who all love them. I agree with the other person's comment, these look like real bones and are very sturdy. They are great gifts for animal lover's or anyone that like whimsical items or collect unique salt & pepper shakers. Highly recommended.

CarolVote: Thumbs down!

Doesn't suit my sense of humor - I would probably use them for a Halloween party if I had one. I hate Halloween,

jasmineVote: Thumbs down!

you can see too much of the cork

Gia Vote: Thumbs up!

These are awesome! Perfect gifts and holidays and all around uniqueness!

RobertVote: Thumbs up!

I've given these as gifts and they rock! Sturdy, well made and excellently finished! I highly recommend them!

JenniferVote: Thumbs up!

I have to say as cool as these are, I am a s

HennaVote: Thumbs up!

I got these as a gift years back, and I've used them ever since. They are unique and fun, and the craftmanship is exquisite. Comments about the corks showing too much is not right in reality, they fit perfectly in the holes and don't show as much as they do in the picture. I love my bones!

Saundra

cool

AnneVote: Thumbs down!

Limited to Halloween,or maybe a vampire movie night party.

JenniferVote: Thumbs down!

Cork sticks out too far and distracts from over all design. I didn't get that they were bones. At first I thought they were supposed to be geese or something.

AmandaVote: Thumbs up!

cute but seems like it might take up a lot of space

allyVote: Thumbs down!

very odd...

WilliamVote: Thumbs down!

A silly, useless trinket that would lose any novelty quickly.

RachaelVote: Thumbs down!

Let's just say, I didn't think they were bones until I read the description.

AlishaVote: Thumbs up!

I love creative salt and pepper shakers and I think these are amazing.

AmandaVote: Thumbs down!

I think there need to be more pictures; one commenter said the cork isn't normally very visible, which should be shown. And, gotta be honest, my first thought was that they were very phallic.

JessicaVote: Thumbs down!

They resemble a certain appendage too much--one that I don't want to display.

Jennifer

These are cute, but for $32 I wouldn't buy them. If they were less expensive, I would consider getting them as a gift.

DawnVote: Thumbs up!

Cute for Halloween

KristaVote: Thumbs down!

seems to have a very limited audience, and would take up a lot of room on the table.

katerinaVote: Thumbs down!

It doesn't look like a bone to me at all. any bone.

JuliaVote: Thumbs down!

Have to agree with all those who made other associations. Not good.

TheresaVote: Thumbs down!

These look phallic.

BethVote: Thumbs up!

Great for Halloween Party

LouiseVote: Thumbs down!

I guess I have no sense of humor, but I think this is very gross. I would not like to have these on my dinner table.

SharonVote: Thumbs down!

If I needed a gift for an orthopedist...

JenniferVote: Thumbs up!

I know exactly who would love these!

RACHELVote: Thumbs down!

I like the idea, but I don't particularly like the looks of this product.

KatherineVote: Thumbs down!

I just don't think these are very practical. And my friend is a chiropractor, but I don't think he would appreciate these. Other than him, I would have no clue who to buy these for.